Is your wallet in shock about how many books you have to buy for uni?
After Fresher's Week, your student loan is looking slightly less healthy than you'd hoped and it is a shock to realize how many books you have to buy! Make sure you check out our top tips as books can be very expensive and you need to save as much as you can.
Look out for adverts
Always check if there any adverts outside your lecture theatres as second years often sell their used textbooks. It is also worth asking if there is a mentoring scheme in your department as they can ask second or third years if they have any books to sell. Also, keep your eyes open for adverts around the campus. Sometimes, the Student Union may put on a book sale and you can often pick up great deals at these sales, although it can be cheaper to buy directly from a second or third year student so don't panic and buy too early!
Don't forget the Library
Yes, believe it or not - it's actually worth wading through floors of books especially if it means saving 20 you'd spend on a book that you would only use once!
Charity shops
It's always worth checking if you have charity shops near your university too. Generous students sometimes donate their books and charity shops sell them at a large discount so it's always worth a look. Obviously there's not much variety or choice but you might just come across a gem for a couple of quid!!
Be good at using online resources
Through the university's library website you can access to online journals and other publications, all for free. GoogleScholar is something you should give a try because you can preview a huge number of books. And if you know what you are looking for you can preview exactly that page! So go online before you run along to Blackwells!
Look out for adverts
Always check if there any adverts outside your lecture theatres as second years often sell their used textbooks. It is also worth asking if there is a mentoring scheme in your department as they can ask second or third years if they have any books to sell. Also, keep your eyes open for adverts around the campus. Sometimes, the Student Union may put on a book sale and you can often pick up great deals at these sales, although it can be cheaper to buy directly from a second or third year student so don't panic and buy too early!
Don't forget the Library
Yes, believe it or not - it's actually worth wading through floors of books especially if it means saving 20 you'd spend on a book that you would only use once!
Charity shops
It's always worth checking if you have charity shops near your university too. Generous students sometimes donate their books and charity shops sell them at a large discount so it's always worth a look. Obviously there's not much variety or choice but you might just come across a gem for a couple of quid!!
Be good at using online resources
Through the university's library website you can access to online journals and other publications, all for free. GoogleScholar is something you should give a try because you can preview a huge number of books. And if you know what you are looking for you can preview exactly that page! So go online before you run along to Blackwells!
About the Author:
Student Money Saver is the ultimate online portal for student money advice. Here you can find student discounts, student offers, student deals, student money advice, student finance and all you need to take control of your student economy. Check out studentmoneysaver.com today.